This chapter develops a theoretical model to analyse the impacts of intellectual property rights (IPRs) policy options on innovation in the plant breeding sector and social welfare. First, some relevant strands of the literature on the scope of IPR protection are reviewed. The theoretical model is...

This chapter adapts an existing model of innovation in the plant breeding sector to demonstrate that common standards are not optimum from a global welfare point of view. Policy issues relating to Plant Variety Protection from an economic perspective are reviewed, with particular emphasis on the...

The three phases of the NUTMON methodology in analysing nutrient flows and balances for farming systems are described, as well as the possibilities of application of the methodology in the context of peri-urban agriculture. The farm diagnosis tool NUTShell was used to link nutrient flows with...